When I am super-discouraged or my hope is deferred, I am very careful of whom I talk to. I don’t want anyone speaking death over me or agreeing with what is going on, or giving me advice that is in contradiction to the truth of the word of God. Every time, I am very careful of whom I speak to and whom I lock arms with.
Everyone’s steadfastness in the Lord can have highs and lows—with moments of really strong commitment and, other times, feelings of weakness. If I focus on my circumstances, I can easily become discouraged. When I focus on the face of Jesus and everything that He paid for on the cross, and on the truth of God’s word, my hope can be revived. He has been faithful in the past, and He will be faithful today. And because He is faithful today, He will be faithful tomorrow. My God is good, but sometimes I have to ask myself, “Do I really believe who God says He is? Do I believe it?”
What I do to get myself out of a pit—because I seem to be in one this morning—is I start praying. I tell God how I really feel. I don’t hold back. I give Him all my ugly thoughts and all my ugly words. I give Him all my doubt and my disappointment. I just confess it all.
The next thing that I do is start asking Him who I could talk to, who could encourage me. I don’t need anybody to crawl in a pit with me because then we would both be stuck down low. I need someone who is up high—who will encourage me with mercy, love, and truth. Someone who will say, “That sucks, but God is really the only person or thing we can put our hope in.” I ask the Lord to bring someone to mind, or I just listen and wait for peace. He will direct my steps if I ask Him. “You do not have because you do not ask God” (James 4:2 NIV). But if you seek Him, you will find Him.
Sometimes I may not get to talk to anyone else. I just let the Holy Spirit be my comforter. Today, what came to mind was that I needed to call into a prayer line with beliefs similar to mine. I know without a doubt, 100% of the time, they will strongly encourage me. They will agree with me in the truth and renew my hope. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and it is certain. It is absolutely resolved. It is believing for things that aren’t seen; it’s not visible. It’s impossible for man’s eye to see, but I am sure it is there.
I am reminded of the testimony of a man named Allen Moore. He had a stroke. He is not supposed to be able to walk or talk. His MRI to this date reveals the part of his brain related to these abilities, which does not work. So with man’s eye, it appears that he should not be talking or walking, yet he does. I have met him personally, and he is walking and talking—living the unseen.
I start reminding myself of all the things God has done for me in my life and my family. I start reminding myself of the miracles and the power of God that have been on display in my life for years. As I do that, it encourages me. I am encouraging and sharpening myself in the Lord and in the truth. It awakens me and gives me hope. It get rid of doubt. It doesn’t increase my faith, but it begins to smash out any doubt so my hope can be renewed. When my hope is renewed, faith is restored. Faith is present.
And I can use my imagination in faith to see a part of my body completely healed and whole again. I just imagine what it would look like the next time I am able to see it. I’m not going to look at it again until I have done this for a while—until I feel like it is time again.
When I fall into a pit, that is what I do to get out of it. How about you?
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